There are images narrating Jesus Christ's Via
Crucis in the six chapels located below the Basilica Church. In these chapels are 66
sculptures in cedar, created by Aleijadinho (The Cripple One) and his assistants, between
August 1, 1796 and December 31, 1799.

STEP OF THE SUPPER

Located at the bottom of the ramp, it is the
largest of the chapels as well as the oldest of the whole complex. It depicts Jesus' Holy
Supper with His aplostles and two servants; more specifically it shows the very moment
when Jesus says " In truth I tell you that one of you will betray me", the
apostles appearing disturbed. All pieces are close to life size, most of them made out of
one single block of wood except for the hands, which are movable. The only finished
sculptures are the two servants and the first four apostles, more visible.The remaining
ones, half bodied, are leaning on supports behind the round table..

STEP OF THE GARDEN

To the left of the ramp and at a short distance
from the Supper is the chapel showing Jesus' agony and prayer in the Garden of the Olives,
initial milestone of the Passion. The figure of an angel, hanging on top of the chapel,
holds in his right hand a chalice that represents the gall that must be
drunk:"Father, if it pleases You, turn this chalice away from me." The
angel used to hold a cross in his left hand, but it has been removed since 1957 in order
to better protect the statue. The images, in perfect finish and excellent workmanship thus
form a harmonious set composed by the angel, Jesus sitting in prayer, plus the apostles
Peter, James and John, asleep.

STEP OF THE IMPRISONMENT

It is at the right hand side of the chapel of
the Supper. Eight characters make up this group: Jesus, Peter, Malco, Jude and four
guards. In an instinctive move of defense for the Master, Saint Peter cuts off the guard
Malco's ear. Christ calms Peter down and walks towards the injured man in order to heal
him. At this exact moment in the scene Christ has Malco's ear in His hand. This set of
images is the most homogeneous of all, by far. The figures are made in excess of 2 meters
tall.

STEP OF THE SCOURGING AND THE THORNS CROWNING

The works were halted for near half a century
after completion if the chapel of the imprisonment. Construction of the Chapel of the
Scourging and the Thorns Crowning began in 1864. The decision to build only 6 chapels
instead of the planned 7 was made at that time.Thus, this chapel stores only two steps.
Some say that building only six chapels had to do with the Crippled One's superstition
regarding the number 7. However, this cannot be farther from the truth, since the chapels
were erected years after his death. Both scenes are independent from each other, separated
by a wood beam. The lack of room gives an impression of disorder and confusion.

The Christ of the Scourging is depicted
standing up with the hands tied together, while being whipped by two guards, In the
background a guard holds the tunic.

The group of the Thorns
Crowning is made up of eight figures but only the three ones in the foreground participate
in the scene.Christ is seated down, crowned by thorns. A kneeling guard hands Him the
reed, while another, to the left, holds the sign INRI. Only the two images of the Christ are attributable to the Aleijadinho (Crippled
One).

STEP OF ASCENDING TO CALVARY

Built between 1867 and 1875. Depicts Jesus'
ascent to Calvary, carrying the cross on his back, Aleijadinho (The Crippled One) chose
the episode "meeting with the daughters of Jerusalem" as narrated by Saint Luke.
In this scene one finds two instances of image transferring: a boy with a carnation in his
hand, transferred in the restoration of 1957 from the crucifixion chapel and one of the
figures of a guard, easily identified by similar polycrony to the guards in the scourging.
Originally 9 images, with the transferring becoming 11. The only figures of said group
entirely attributable to Aleijadinho (the Crippled One) is Christ's and the woman drying
tears.

STEP OF THE CRUCIFIXION

The last chapel is made of 11 images, split into
three points of interest.At the center, the figure of two executioners nailing Christ to
the cross and Magdalene weeping. At Christ's left hand side two guards throw dice,
gambling for Christ's robe.At His right hand side two thieves with tied hands.Three other
guard figures watch the scene, one being different due to his clothing. Mary Magdalene's
image was projected to be seen from a profile angle totally chiseled at one side and
roughly finished at the other.

The Rosary Church (photo) is the oldest in town, built by
slaves towards the end of the XVII Century, before the arrival of the first miners in the
area. It keeps the simplicity of that time to this very day.

Cathedral of our Lady of the
Conception

This church has the facade made by the Crippled One and
paintings by the best "Mineiros" artists of the epoch, It became a church in
November 6, 1749. The facade was built in a Jesuit style XVIII, having two front towers
with volute and bells thrush connected to the church, proper. The Cathedral nave is one of
the largest in Minas, forming a single unit, with no hallway. The main altar houses the
image of the patroness, Our Lady of the Conception.

Rich in its sculptures, Saint Joseph's Church was built in
1817. In the main altar, an image of Saint Joseph's. The church is located at a street
bearing the name of the saint and it leads to the Basilica Church. Mentioned
street, made by slaves, can only be traveled on foot due to the enormous stones which
serve as its pavement.

Church of Our Lady of Help

Located in the District of High Maranhao, this church was
built in 1746. The main altar used to be home to a historic image of Our Lady of Help
until a few years ago. The original image was stolen and has been replaced recently but
the current image, in comparison with the first one, possess no historic value. This kind
of crime has become too frequent in historic cities, affecting not only the cultural
heritage of the place but also the heart of the faithful.

In order to really appreciate how
grandiose is this complex and for you to understand the detailed riches which form the
works achieved here, it is a must to visit Congonhas. Only then it can be properly
evaluated. Come visit us and see it all with your own eyes.